What We Bought:
With seven Valley locations, cheap prices, and specialty Mexican ingredients, Pro's Ranch Market is a great place for grocery shopping on the cheap. The first stop of any trip for us is usually the spice aisle because the packets are generally only $1. If you cook a lot, you know that little spice jars are usually insanely pricey, so we typically buy one for the jar and refill it with these packets to save some dough.

The produce section is full of unique Hispanic staples like tamarind, jamaica, different varieties of chiles, and even chayote squash. We stocked up on key limes, which were only 99 cents per pound, to make oodles of desserts in the future. We also grabbed a $6 citrus juicer, which is a great deal and will make our key lime endeavors way easier.

Heather Hoch

Hot chiles roasted nonstop at Ranch Market.

Out front, chiles are roasted all the time and they go fast at $1.79 per pound. Freshly made tortillas (price varies based on size and kind) and bolillos (4 for $1) are a welcome change to mix up our usual carb routines. The freshly made ceviche, salsas, rice pudding, and chorizo all called our name, too.

Heather Hoch

The $6 whole roasted chickens smelled so great that we had to snag one of those before we left. It's really hard to say just what to buy at Ranch Market because they have so much to choose from, but a good rule of thumb is to stick with what they make because it's usually super-tasty and fresh.

We Recommend

things i learned from shopping at ranch market: dont drive your good vehicle there. make sure you talk on your cell phone while shopping. be eligible for food stamps (even though you dont need them ;3) and have no regard for other human beings because you are the center of the world. and oh yeah, make sure you speak only spanish because it is a hindrance to accommodate any person who isnt mexican, the staff will prove that to you when laugh at you and suck their teeth because they have to act like a legal citizen of this country.

great fish market... you really should give it a try. The gorgeous fresh shrimp they have paired with the chayote squash always helped this NOLA-expat satisfy my cravings for Mirleton and Shrimp Casserole. And a jug of Agua Fresca taken home to be spiked with Rum was a pretty great substitute for a Hurricane, and always helped to take the bite out of the oppressive summertime heat! ;-)